why is it that teenage students tend to think they can behave in such a negative way in class?

Question

My 10th grade students are really in a difficult age. I need help with ideas that will help me control them more in class and to keep them motivated.

Answer 1

Scare the crap out of them.
Tell them exactly what their future is going to be like.
Don't BS them, use facts....like this.
Teacher says: Well Johnny I see you want to be the class clown.
Johnny says: Yeah I do, so....!
Teacher: Johnny of all the student that ARE funny, do you think you're better than the millions of other students that are class clowns?
Johnny: yeah maybe?
Teacher: Well Johnny none of those class clowns are professional comedians.
Today they're waiters at fast food restaurants.
Johnny: pfft
Teacher: Do you know why Johnny?
Johnny: I don't know.
Teacher: Because Johnny None of those class clown learned anything, But the professional comedians did.

Answer 2

Hellino's answer is correct. You need to have consistency in class.
To answer your question, the teens do it to get attention. Once they get the attention, they will see how far it will get them (waste class time, teacher singles them out, kids laugh). Even though it is negative, it might be that they are willing to get any attention they can.
Have rules that students must follow, then enforce them. Never threaten anything that you are not willing to carry out. Keep them busy...develop projects and activities that involve everyone.
I never have trouble with those 'certain' students when they are engaged in something, whether they like the acitivity or not.
(How about the 8th grader I had in class the other day who proceeded to put his feet up on the desk?? I asked him if he was comfortable and needed a pillow? He said no...and I promptly told him to remove his feet off the desk or he could stand upside down in the corner for the rest of the period....he made the right choice)!!

Answer 3

It's not about "control", it's about maintaining an educational environment. I was a substitute for a very long time and I also though it was a "control" issue. On my way up, I lost my edge because I would not follow through with my warnings or reprimands. Once I began to follow through, respect was earned and given back to the students.

Answer 4

They think that way because other teachers have apparently let them get away with it.
I teach 9th (have taught 7,8,10,11,12)
You have to be firm; you are the teacher, not the friend. Be fair and have a sense of humor. Remember, sometimes kids that age are trying their wings. You may interpret some of what they say as being smart alec, but they're trying out their wit and humor on you (a "safe" adult) and their peers. Sometimes you just go along with it. That doesn't mean you have to put up with crap, though. You have to let them know what YOUR boundaries are, too; they have to learn "when to say 'when'."

Answer 5

Why do they do it? Because they are at a rebellious stage in life. They behave that way so they can get sympathy, not to mention attention, from the teacher. They are in need of love and attention. Maybe their parents don't give them enough love at home. So, the best to way to win them to your way of thinking is to put yourself in their shoes and find out what they really want from you. Just give them love, lots of it, and soon they'll give it back to you.

Answer 6

Perhaps they are being difficult because you are trying to be the authority figure. Right around grade ten and up, the kids want to be treated like equals. Give them respect and less rules, and they will likely thrive.

Answer 7

Lack of proper guidance from the parents. They should be taught at home - how to behave outside the house.